Hello. I'm Gary Meaney, passionate fan of all things animal, and author of the recently published book Zoology's Greatest Mystery - and 100 Other Wonders of Nature.
 | "Anyone who picks up this book will become fascinated" - Jane Goodall |
 | "A wonderful achievement" - Jonathan Elphick |
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"A cornucopia of fascinating accounts" - Éanna Ní Lamhna |
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"A remarkable window on nature's more extraordinary ways of life" - Michael Viney |
The 101 fascinating natural wonders in this beautifully illustrated book will forever transform your view of the animal and plant world. Come with me on a jaw-dropping journey across nature's most amazing and bizarre.
You will learn about the mould that solves mazes, why the giant panda is lucky to be alive, how a fish with no mouth eats, why your brain is afraid of snakes, and why one microscopic creature is the most puzzling mystery in all zoology.
Here is an audio sample of Chapter 25: Stilettos for Teeth and Spiders for Tails from the Audiobook version. Read along with Gary below.
Praise for the book's source material is compiled below.
| "I actually started reading this answer before I saw who the author was, and yet not even halfway through I thought ‘the only Quoran who writes about obscure critters with this combination of depth, loving enthusiasm and quirky humour is Gary Meaney’. Lo and behold, it is you, haha. If you ever compile all your posts into a book one day I’ll buy an armful of copies to give out to friends." |
| "That’s perhaps the most beautifully written and illustrated natural history I’ve read in Quora. Fascinating. I hereby nominate you as Quora’s David Attenborough. " |
| "Beautifully done, Gary. It's always a pleasure to find one of your answers in my feed." |
| "Who wrote that? Ah, Gary Meaney of course! Why isn’t there a bidding war going on between publishers desperate to collect all his Quora posts into a best-selling, glossy, hardback coffee table book with a foreword by David Attenborough?" |
| "Gary Meaney you are my favourite Quoran. Another wonderful and informative answer. Thank you." |
| "Truly extraordinary answer. Obviously great investment of time and effort. I was totally ignorant of the subject, so I learned a great deal. Kudos to you Gary." |
| "This answer is so amazing!! Thank you Gary, this one blew my mind! For me, the length and the level of detail provided puts this up there with many of the Attenborough specials we are so fond of in this house. It’s what Quora was meant to be." |
| "You talk about the animal kingdom in the most measured and sensible way of anyone I’ve yet encountered on social media type platforms (perhaps even on mainstream news outlets too)." |
| "This is the best answer I’ve read on Quora and I’ve been here for four years. Thank you!" |
| "WOW! Just WOW! I don’t usually get impressed that easily" |
| "Thank you for the tour around this extraordinary ecosystem, Gary. You made me feel like I was right there at every twist and turn and eye-opening discovery. 10 out of 10" |
| "This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive answers I've ever seen on Quora. You're an excellent writer, engaging and informative and you have the perfect writing style for a science educator. I would buy any book you ever write on any topic you found worthy of the effort and I know it would be money well spent." |
| "Thank you! Thank you! My favourite Quora answer ever! And your writing is as amazing as those incredible photos." |
| "You never cease to amaze me, Professor! My mind is blown, seeing these predators with “pets." |
| "This is by far the best answer I’ve read on Quora, on any subject. Thanks a lot for taking the time on writing this fully detailed answer. It’s been a pleasure reading it and I learned a lot by it. Thanks!" |
| "Sorry to add yet more congratulations, you must be getting fed up with them by now but that was truly the best Quora answer I've read." |
| "Your posts never fail to impress me and make me want to know more about animals" |
| "You’ve done it again, Gary, extended my knowledge of our natural world, thank you." |
| "For some of us Quorans, this type of answer is what we live for. Outstanding, informative, expert answer. Thank you Gary!" |
| "You really should publish a compilation of all your amazing participations on Quora. Thank you for another great one. From now on, every time i eat seafood I'll think of you…" |
| "I enjoy every answer you write. In fact I get a little thrill when I see you have posted a new one. And I don’t even like animals, and have no particular interest in them. Please keep them coming." |
| "Gary, I had to scroll all the way down here before I even finished reading the article to say a sincerely, nearly breathless thank you! I love the way the Internet has enabled us to learn some of the most magnificent, wondrous things we share our planet with. Made all that much more when explained by someone with a gift of the written word. So again, sir, thank you!!!" |
| "This is one if the most illuminating articles I’ve read in a long time, anywhere. Bravo!" |
| "Gary once again I found myself reading an answer without noting the author. By about the fourth sentence I could pleasantly tell you were the author! As always, a very interesting read, with a wealth of information pertinent to the question!" |
| "Thank you so much for this awesome answer! This should get a spot in Wikipedia somewhere — it deserves to be preserved and widely read." |
| "What a dynamite old-school Quora answer. Why haven’t I seen more of your fabulous work?" |
| "Best content on Quora." |
| "Thank you for one of the most interesting posts I have ever read, not only on Quora, but in my lifetime" |
| "THIS is why I still spend time on Quora. Thank you for an informative, entertaining, terrific answer." |
| "Informative, engaging, beautifully written and well researched. Lest I forget – heart-warming too! You have spoken to everyone from school children to seasoned birdwatchers. Your writing skills, much like the hummingbird, are truly amazing!" |
| "Best Quora post I have ever read. You’ve revived my respect in this forum." |
| "I’ve read this five times at least and never get tired of it. That’s how good you are. Your fascination with animals is rubbing off on to me!" |
I am a seventeen year old student from High School Rathgar Ireland with a passion for the natural world and the vast diversity of living things it contains. This love has been kindled by first-hand experiences with wildlife in Kenya, Hawaii and beyond. I am now at work writing my first book, Zoology's Greatest Mystery - and 100 Other Wonders of Nature.
I have been writing answers on the Q&A platform Quora for four years, where I now have over 14,000 followers and 20 million content views.
Date of birth: 8 July 2004
Location: Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland
I'm currently looking for volunteers with an interest in nature and books to review Zoology's Greatest Mystery - and 100 Other Wonders of Nature. Please email me for the password to the draft PDF, or else just view the extract.
I have been writing answers on the Q&A platform Quora for four years, where I now have over 14,000 followers and 20 million content views.
